8 Metabolism-Boosting Spices to Kick Start Your Weight Loss

Struggling with your efforts in losing fat? Well, the devil might be in the detail of what you eat rather than what your daily activities comprise.

We all know that food plays the most crucial role in keeping us healthy and fit, and yet we continue to ignore the warning signs when they appear. For those trying to shed those extra pounds, using the right ingredients in their recipes can mean the difference between success and failure.

In this article, we’ll give you our roundup of some of the best metabolism boosting spices that you can find almost anywhere. Not only will you benefit with fat loss, but the spices will also keep you free from heart diseases and the chance of developing cancer.

Here are 8 of the best to take your diet efforts to the very next level...

1. Cayenne pepper:

Ask any fitness coach or a professional bodybuilder about the benefits of Cayenne pepper, and you’ll receive one answer in return: It works great to boost metabolism. It is true indeed that this spice can spike up your metabolism rate into high gear because of the active ingredient called capsaicin. This ingredient is what’s responsible for producing a burning sensation in your mouth.

Capsaicin is often regarded as the “magic ingredient” for its thermogenic effect that results in generating extra heat in the body. Many studies have indicated that this active compound can spike the metabolism by up to 5% and even more if consumed a few hours after a meal.

2. Cinnamon:

When it comes to metabolism boosting spices, nothing can match the antioxidant levels of cinnamons. This ingredient is very effective in stabilizing blood sugar levels, which is doctors often suggest patients suffering from type I and type II diabetes to consume this on a frequent basis. Just to teaspoons a day and your body will benefit from reduced blood sugar, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.

Cinnamon also improves brain function, helps relieve pain thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, and reduces pain arising from the stiffness of muscles and joints. And the best part of cinnamon is that you can mix it with a wide variety of food recipes.

3. Ginger:

What a surprise! Who could have thought that a common ingredient like ginger can be useful for increasing metabolism? We all know this herb’s usefulness in alleviating digestive issues and nausea due to its antioxidant properties, but research shows that it can also work as a metabolism booster.
An active compound known as gingerol almost has the same beneficial effects as
active ingredients like capsaicin and cinnamon.

Recent research carried out concluded that overweight men could benefit from ginger consumption as it also helps in producing more body heat, which in turn enhances fat digestion and absorption.

4. Basil:

This is another highly effective anti-inflammatory herb that can work wonders on allergies, inflammatory bowel conditions, and arthritis, to just name a few. This will also help scale harmful food poisoning causing bacteria like Staph, Listeria, and E Coli. This herb is an excellent source of calcium, magnesium, and vitamin K, all of which are good for bone health and density.

Beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant found in Basil can help to prevent free radical damage, which is often said to be the leading causes of heart-related diseases as well as rapid aging. For best results, you can consume both fresh and dried basil along with your food.

5. Turmeric:

How many of us haven’t heard our grandmas talk about the awesome benefits of turmeric? Well, this botanical relative of ginger is highly used in making curries in almost all of Indian cuisine. The primary active component is called Curcumin, which has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can help fight cancer, depression, heart diseases, and age-related neurodegenerative ailments.

Regular consumption of turmeric can also help you to reduce weight by shedding fat through decreasing the levels of leptin resistance and insulin. You can add turmeric to a rice dish, a soup of your choice, or a blend with a smoothie for
the best results.

6. Cloves:

You may not have heard about how cloves can help you in losing weight, but it does so indeed. This sweet and spicy flavored herb is considered a natural medicine with germicidal and antiseptic ingredients. From fighting infections to relieving digestive issues, cloves can do it all! It has also been measured to have the highest antioxidant value among all herbs and spices.

The oil you get from cloves kill bacteria and are super effective when applied to rashes, bruises, cuts, burns, and also fungal infections. Just add a small chunk to your regular cup of hot tea and see the difference in front of your own eyes.

7. Cumin:

When talking about popularity, very few can match up to Cumin, a spice that is used in cuisines from around the world. Even though this spice does not have as much as metabolism boosting properties as the other alternatives we’ve mentioned, a recent study suggests that it has many benefits. From reducing levels of triglycerides to balancing the “good” cholesterol and “bad” cholesterol, this herb is no less than a wonder of Mother Nature.

Some women, who were overweight, also reported lower waist circumference, lower
weight and body mass index (BMI) upon regular consumption. You can use cumin powder with soaps, curries, or even a turkey chili meal.

8. Rosemary:

Rosemary is a substance that contains potent active ingredients that work just as well because of their anti-inflammatory agents. Apart from improving concentration, helping reduce depression, and boosting memory, Rosemary has also been known to improve the functions of the immunity system. In addition, it also stimulates digestion, improves blood circulation, and helps in fighting cancer.

Because of so many excellent properties, you can count on Rosemary to make for a delicious meal preparation that is easy on your digestive system. It helps in reducing digestive problems by keeping the gallbladder simulated and releasing bile in time. This is truly a metabolism boosting agent that you must have in your meal.

Stick to these secret herbs and spices in order to maintain a healthy body, and prepare yummy dishes that you’ll come back to eat time and again.

About the author: Ben is a semi-pro cyclist and nutrition specialist. When he’s not eating or thinking about eating, he writes about
eating over at theonlinegrill.com.